Manchester UnitedhadBayern Munichon the ropes and the Germans only reacted after Evra’s second half screamer put the English side ahead. Mandzukic equalised barely a minute and a half later. The scoreline (1-1), which would have seen the game go into extra time didn’t last long as Müller and Robben scored to secure their place in the semi-finals.
The fact is that Bayern, a team that would usually be unplayable in their slippers, struggled to control the game, which brings their tag of tournament favourites into question. It wasn’t because they hadn’t done their homework: “Manchester will sit deep and try and counter-attack,” Guardiola had said at a press conference ahead of the game. Well, theories count for nothing in football; they’re absolutely worthless.
Bearing in mind that Guardiola, with his comments, saved the commentator from describing United’s game during the forty-five minutes; all that is left is to say is what Bayern did, which was very little: plenty of possession, plenty of control but they threatened very little in front of goal. Only Robben was true to himself; the rest of the team were mere shadows of their usual selves.
Despite Bayern’s poor performance, Guardiola’s men are in the semis and remain favourites to lift the title ahead of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Atlético.
